A new San Diego Union-Tribune/KNSD-NBC poll found that
many locals are going to fewer pro games than they did five
years ago, according Gordon Smith of the SAN DIEGO UNION-
TRIBUNE. The poll, which surveyed 603 San Diego residents
January 9-15, was conducted by CA-based Richard Hertz
Consulting, and had a margin of error of +/- 4%. Among the
results, 64% said there are "major benefits to having pro
sports in San Diego," with women being "as emphatic about
the benefits of pro sports as men;" 43% attend the same
number of games as they did five years ago, but a
"significant" 33% attend fewer games; 41% said their
interest in sports is affected by player attitudes; and 51%
said the city should share "at least" some of the costs of a
new ballpark for the Padres, while 42% said the Padres
should cover all costs. The Padres maintain "a strong
positive image in the community," as 64% think they are good
corporate citizens, compared with 51% who say the same about
the Chargers. And 39% said the current Padres ownership "is
doing a better job than the previous owners at making
baseball good for San Diego" (UNION-TRIBUNE, 1/22).
